Gentlemen who do not dance should not accept invitations of this kind. They are but incumbrances in the ball-room, besides which, it looks like a breach of etiquette and courtesy to stand or sit idly by when there are, most probably, ladies in the room who are waiting for an invitation to dance.
A ball generally begins about half-past nine or ten o'clock.
A man who stands up to dance without being acquainted with the figures, makes himself ridiculous, and places his partner in an embarrassing and unenviable position. There is no need for him to know the steps. It is enough if he knows how to walk gracefully through the dance, and to conduct his partner through it like a gentleman. No man can waltz too well; but to perform steps in a quadrille is not only unnecessary but outré.
A gentleman cannot ask a lady to dance without being first introduced to her by some member of the hostess's family.
Never enter a ball-room in other than full evening dress, and white or light kid gloves.
A gentleman cannot be too careful not to injure a lady's dress. The young men of the present day are inconceivably thoughtless in this respect, and often seem to think the mischief which they do scarcely worth an apology. Cavalry officers should never wear spurs in a ball-room.
Bear in mind that all Casino habits are to be scrupulously avoided in a private ball-room. It is an affront to a highly-bred lady to hold her hand behind you, or on your hip, when dancing a round dance. We have seen even aristocratic young men of the "fast" genus commit these unpardonable offences against taste and decorum.
Never forget a ball-room engagement. It is the greatest neglect and slight that a gentleman can offer to a lady.
At the beginning and end of a quadrille the gentleman bows to his partner, and bows again on handing her to a seat.
After dancing, the gentleman may offer to conduct the lady to the refreshment-room.